IN TIME OF WAR. 239
better to increase the proportion, if the escorts be large ; andto diminish it, when few troops can be spared for this service.
17. The primary consideration towards deciding thenumber and,calibre of the pieces of ordnance, is to keep■up conjiantly a fire superior to that of the place.
I lie following are -the particular rules for the observa-tion of this maxim, in the first part of the direct attack ;
1. The proportion of 32 prs. for firing at the prin-cipal defences of the place, and covering the approachesto the crest of the glacis, ought to exceed by a thirdat least, the number that the garrison can bring to bearon the aback, from the body of the place, or any ofthe outworks, capable of making a long resistance.
2. The proportion of 16 prs. for dismounting theenemy’s artillery in the ravelins, and other advancedworks that may retard the progress of the besiegers,should exceed by a fourth at least, the number of gunsin those works.
3. The richochet firing is froth 8 and 4 prs. the num-ber for enfilading any works should never be less thanthree.
4- Each of the works attacked should be enfiladed byat least three 10 inch mortars, when the object is todismount the enemy’s artillery ; and, by perpetually an-noying them, oblige them to abandon their works.But if the bastions be cafemated, the mortars shouldbe 13 inches in bore, and the number increased.
5. As the richochet firing may be stopped for fear ofincommoding the workmen in completing the thirdparallel, two or three royal mortars should be plantedin the second parallel, against each face of the coveredway, to harrass the garrison during the cessation of therichochet-firing.
6. Some stone mortars may likewise be placed inthe finished parts of the third parallel, for firing intothe covered way.
18, Having determined the nature and number of theordnance requisite for the first part of the attack, the quan-tity necessary for the second is then resolved on ; makinguse, for this purpose, of the guns planted in the first erectedbatteries, which cease firing when a lodgment is effected onthe crest of the glacis.
19. This,